Epigenetic Responses to Abusive versus Accidental Injuries in Children: A Cross-sectional Epigenome Wide Association Meta-analysis
This cross-sectional meta-analysis of 175 children with traumatic injuries reveals that child abuse, compared to accidental injuries, is associated with distinct DNA methylation changes at 11 genomic sites involved in neural function, immune regulation, and connective tissue development, suggesting early abuse induces both immediate injury responses and long-term systemic biological dysregulation.